Overview & Reviews

Originating in the latter half of the 1990s, the Toyota RAV4 was one of the first entries in the small crossover SUV market. Almost two decades later, today's RAV4 is considerably larger than that pint-sized original, but the core appeal of versatility, good fuel economy and favorable on-road manners are firmly intact.

The RAV4 has been very popular with consumers through the years, so there are going to be plenty to choose from if you're searching for a used model. The newest third- and fourth-generation RAV4s are the most family-friendly and come with the most features, but an older RAV4 should still appeal to young families and urban singles in search of a reliable compact crossover SUV.

Current Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is offered in LE, XLE and Limited trim levels. All have a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 176 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic is standard and buyers can choose either front- or all-wheel drive. With an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in combined driving, the RAV4 is as fuel-efficient as its competitors.

Base LE standard feature highlights include air-conditioning, reclining second-row seats, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a touchscreen interface and iPod/USB integration. The XLE adds alloy wheels, heated mirrors, a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control and sport front seats. The Limited features bigger wheels, a power liftgate, keyless ignition/entry, a power driver seat, heated front seats and faux leather upholstery.
Major options, depending on the trim level, include automatic high beams, blind-spot/lane-departure warning, Toyota's Entune smartphone integration system, a navigation system and premium audio.

In reviews, we've found that this RAV4 gets just about everything right. Its roomy cabin boasts more cargo room than most rivals and provides ample seating space for adults both front and rear. The overall interior design is modern looking, and the Entune system provides useful smartphone app integration, although the touchscreen's virtual buttons can sometimes be finicky to use. There's no engine upgrade available, but the RAV4's 2.5-liter four is refined and adequately powerful. Handling is secure, and the all-wheel-drive system adds further athleticism on curvy and slippery road surfaces. In the interest of comfort, we recommend the smaller wheel options, as the 18-inch wheels tend to have a rougher ride quality.

Used Toyota RAV4 Models
The current, fourth-generation RAV4 debuted for 2013. It maintained the typical RAV4 strengths of carlike driving manners, versatile cargo and passenger configurations and all-around comfort. It's about the same size as the previous generation, but has bolder styling, a more modern interior and some new features. It also has an easier-to-use, top-hinged liftgate instead of the previous swing-out gate, though the previously available third-row seat was discontinued. There have been no notable changes since its debut.

The previous Toyota RAV4 represented the third generation, which Toyota produced from 2006-'12. Compared to earlier models, these RAV4s were bigger and offered an available V6 engine and third-row seat.

In its inaugural third-generation year, two engine choices were offered. A 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine delivered 166 hp and 165 lb-ft of torque, while a 3.5-liter V6 produced 269 hp and 246 lb-ft of torque. Automatic transmissions were standard, with the four-cylinder paired with a four-speed, while the V6 received a five-speed unit.

Three trim levels were also offered: base, Sport and Limited. Base feature highlights included air-conditioning, cruise control, a height-adjustable driver seat and full power accessories. The Sport added 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension and a roof rack, while the Limited topped it off with 17-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power driver seat and an upgraded audio system. A third-row seat, a moonroof, leather upholstery and a DVD-based rear entertainment system were options on upper level trims.

We praised these models for their pleasant driving manners and convenient cargo space, but deducted points for the side-hinged rear gate and noticeable road noise. We also preferred the powerful V6 over the base four-cylinder engine that suffered with its outdated transmission and mediocre fuel economy.

Changes since its debut were minimal but included additional standard airbags in 2007, a slight styling update in 2009 (with an external spare-tire delete option) and a power increase for the four-cylinder engine (from 166 hp to 179 hp). A newly available touchscreen audio interface and Toyota's Entune smartphone apps were introduced for 2012.

The second-generation Toyota RAV4 (2001-'05) was larger than the original RAV4, with more expressive styling and innovative removable second-row seats that gave it truly impressive cargo-carrying capabilities. Early models had a 148-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that came up short versus the larger four- and six-cylinder engines offered by competitors. Toyota addressed this to some extent in 2004 by replacing the 2.0-liter with a larger 2.4-liter four-cylinder good for 160 hp. Acceleration was markedly improved, and buyers could still choose a manual or automatic transmission. Overall, we found this RAV4 to be a fun-to-drive urban runabout thanks to its precise suspension tuning and high fuel economy ratings.

The first-generation Toyota RAV4 (1996-2000) was offered in two-door and four-door body styles, with a convertible version for a brief period. The first-gen RAV4 was appealing to young singles, but due to its narrow width and tight rear legroom, this cute ute was ultimately no substitute for a traditional family vehicle. Advantages included carlike handling, a low cargo floor and a large rear door that made loading cargo a breeze.

User Reviews:

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  Not sure what all the hype is about - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By villagefish - January 13 - 7:40 am

  The RAV drives more like a dune buggy than a 21st century vehicle and leaves an unrefined impression not generally associated with a Toyota (I have owned two other Toyota vehicles). The 4 cylinder engine is very loud and road noise is pronounced. I can hear suspension, wind, and tire noise at even the lowest speeds on newly paved surfaces. The ride is stiff and the steering feels artificially weighted. Throttle response is jerky, especially at low speeds. The lack of a rear bumper is a safety concern and the side hinged tail gate is inconvenient. I think this vehicle is cheaply made and not worth the high used vehicle price it commands. Suggest looking elsewhere.

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  Just OK - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By Denise M - January 12 - 12:45 pm

  Theres a lot of road noise. Too much in my opinion. Rear visibility is poor. Unless I have backseat passengers, I keep the seats folded down. There are a lot of rear blindspots and the backup camera is no help with those. The headrests seem to lean forward, so I removed it. I find the steering wheel to be awkwardly small. I traded in a 2004 Toyota Solara with 210,000 miles. The RAV4 does not even come close to matching that car in comfort or handling. Hopefully it will match in reliability and longevity. Definitely buyers remorse.

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  Good car until it rolled - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Anne - January 6 - 11:00 am

  I really enjoyed this little SUV, it had over 40,000 trouble-free miles. Never thought it would "roll" easily. My daughter - good driver - in her 20s, no previous accidents - was going about 20 mph and hit the back of a black parked car on a very dark street. The Rav basically tipped over - it ended up on its side almost even w/the car it hit. Paramedics and police at the scene said, yes, SUVs do that. Ive heard of larger SUVs rolling but I thought youd have to be traveling much faster. No airbags went off because she wasnt going fast enough. Thank goodness only minor injuries. Be careful in any SUV, even the great little RAV. Hopefully this was a fluke of an accident.

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  Rav vs CRV. - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By Jesse Costa - December 31 - 9:06 am

  After 3 months of research, we decided to purchase a 2016 Rav4 XLE. We were also interested in the CRV, but decided against it while on the test drive. Something is just not right with the CVT. We didnt notice it while on the secondary roadways, but once on the highway it felt like the car was being held back. My wife stated that the information cluster indicated the MPGs were 14.5. We inquired with the salesman but he had no idea that Honda had a transmission issue in the CRV. The Rav had no such issues, it drove great has lots of space and looks nice inside. If you are currently driving a v-6, like we were, there is very little difference in performance it was quite a surprise. We are new Toyota owners, but everyone we have talked with just loved theirs. The Toyota Dealership was also willing to negotiate.

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  2011 RAV4 4X4 4-cylinder - 2011 Toyota RAV4
  By windman3 - December 25 - 8:36 pm

  Ive had my 11 RAV4 for 2 1/2 months. There are many things about this vehicle that I like, but two things that I really dislike: first, the gas mileage is less than what I expected. It will give me 27 mpg on the freeway--but only if I keep my speed under 70. If I go 75 the mileage drops to 26 mpg. If I go 80, it drops to 25. City driving it gives me 22. The other issue I have with this vehicle: the seat is set as far back as it will go and I still cannot stretch out my legs. (Im 58"). This isnt an issue driving locally, but out on the freeway the seating position Im forced to maintain gets old fast. If I had to do it over I would not have purchased this vehicle.

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  Excellent little SUV, needs about 30HP - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Karrock - December 23 - 2:00 am

  The RAV4 is the first and best in its class. Others are overly large (Who needs a V6 in an SUV this small? If I need a V6, Ill probably want a bigger SUV) or too trucklike and rough around the edges (Blazer Sport, Sportage, Grand Vitara, Tracker, Rodeo Sport, Liberty, Wrangler). The overly- glorified CR-V can be best described as either a very short Volvo or a boxy minivan. The Element? What were they thinking???

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  My Buddy Rav4 - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By Cflyboy29 - December 23 - 2:00 am

  This car is great Toyota has really done a great job on the new Rav4 it drives great and rides like a car! You wont be disappointed!

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  Love the RAV4 - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By primal_v - December 21 - 7:12 am

  I purchased a 2009 RAV4 4 2.5 litre 4 cylinder, base model, for my wife. Let me tell you this...if I were to get in it blind-folded, not knowing which vehicle I was in, I would have never guessed that it was a RAV4. The ride comfort is amazing! The independent suspension decreases body roll over uneven pavement. Road noise for a vehicle of this size is more than acceptable. Braking is smooth & quiet. It absorbs bumps in the road like they were nothing. Wind noise is average but better than most. Acceleration is excellent. I barely have to apply pressure to the throttle to get it to move. Without even having to stomp down on the pedal & the 4 cylinder turns into a monster & easily pulls away

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  4x4 V6 Base - 2012 Toyota RAV4
  By randy432 - December 18 - 5:03 am

  The V6 is as quick as my V6 Altima but without the drama. The 4x4 and traction control means I just point and go, no tire spinning. Mileage is so so, 16-20 in town depending on how hard you push it. At 80 on the highway 22MPG. At 60 26MPG. The seats are OK, nothing great. Noise level is OK, a little louder than my Altima. The base stereo does everything I need, I just load up a flash drive and set it to random play. I have had the car 4 months.

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  so far, so good - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By slsrav4driver - December 17 - 10:00 am

  Great car. The only complaint I have is that the roof rack is making some noise as I drive. The fold down/take out seats have been great--I can fit a lot into this little car.